A new day. Another try.

Today I needed to wake up early and shower. I needed some quiet time in the morning to myself. I wanted to be alone before the boys woke up.

It’s Friday, we have made it through two weeks of homeschool. I struggle to know if I am doing what I should be with this time we have been given. I feel like there is so much more we should be doing with our time. Yesterday Alex and I made a stop-motion video with his dinosaur and LEGO guy. I think today we may try another and get the older boys involved. Ethan is still working at McDonalds. I worry about sending him there each day, not knowing who he will come in contact with. We stay here at home and haven’t been out.

Thankfully Kaitie our home nurse is able to come and give Alex his weekly infusion. Next week we are suppose to go to Salt Lake to the CCTS, but I have opted out of doing that and asked Kaitie to come here. I don’t know what we will have to do when in another four weeks we should be going in again to Salt Lake and have extra lab draws and  PT. I am scared to take Alex to the main hospital for PT. If he were to get sick I’m afraid his lungs wouldn’t be strong enough to fight this virus.

Mark continues to go to work. Thankfully he is able to have a job and support our family. He did work two days from home this week, but went I to the office early today, leaving at 5 am. He is carrying to much on his shoulders. Between work and church, not to mention our own family needs, I worry about him all he feels responsible for.

We have now been authorized to have the sacrament in our homes each week. We haven’t been to church services for two weeks now. This Sunday President Nelson has asked for a world-wide fast. When I stop and think about that it amazes me to think of millions of God’s children united in purpose as we fast and pray for the same cause. That brings peace to my mind and courage to my heart.

Today I want to try harder to be more intentional with my choices and actions. I want to show and teach my boys how they too can be intentional with their choice and actions. When we are engaged in a good cause I know we are blessed by the Lord. I have seen this in my own life and want to share that with my boys. I need to be that example to them right now. We need direction in our lives. Last night during family scriptures Alex said he wanted his own liahona. Mark tried to explain we have several different liahonas in our lives to help direct us on the Lord’s covenant path, but he wasn’t having it. He wanted a real ball of curious workmanship. I think I’ll go grab some tinfoil and see what I can create to leave outside his “tent” this morning. Maybe that will appease him for the time.

Looking Up

Summer is here and that means more time with the boys. Of course I have made a daily list of task for them to do with the hope that we can stick to it all summer. One list item includes journaling. I wanted them to keep up wth their writing skills and also take time to write down their thoughts and our doings from day to day.

This morning was a fun time trying to get the boys to stay on task with weeding in the yard. It is so nice to have grass growing. We have so many weeds. After nearly an hour of being out here, I am not sure I can see much progress.

Alex is here telling me he wants to save someone. He wants to be a fireman and save a kitty and a dog and rescue people. Sounds like a great plan to me.

Last week he and I were on our way home from therapy. He started yelling, "rainbow, rainbow". I had no clue what he was talking about. I was trying to figure out what he was looking at when he told me that the sun made a rainbow. I looked up and saw a "rainbow" in the clouds.
Later that day I looked it up and found out it is called a circumhorizontal arc. The colors got more and more intense and within  a half an hour it was gone.

He is constantly helping me slow down. Because of him I see things I probably wouldn't otherwise. I love that about him. Remember to take time to look around you. Remember to look up.

Getting Back on the Wagon

I went to Circles last night and realized a few things about myself; the good, the bad, and the ugly. This morning I got the two older boys off to school and started looking over old posts on my blog. I read about several stories I totally had forgotten and was so glad I had written them down.

My life is passing me by, and I can't let it go without any documentation. I love the written word. I used to love to write. I used to be such a happy person. I think I've let some of myself die. I don't want that. I want me back. Only I can be the one to make the change -- well, me, and my Savior. I know I need his help.

I need to find the joy in my life. It's almost been a whole year that we've been here in Erda. I need to embrace my life, it is what it is, and love it! I truly have so much to be thankful for. I know that. Now I need to reflect my gratitude in how I live my life. My boys need a mother and my husband needs a wife. I need me!

Day 4

Today and everyday I am thankful for a great husband. Mark made our favorite and very yummy Market Street clam chowder for dinner tonight AND apple crisp for dessert.  He is the best and calls me his favorite. I love that Mark of mine.

Day 1

I am thankful for a little boy that insists his mommy plays on the trampoline with him every afternoon. Playing Duck-Duck-Goose with two people is quite suspenseful.

Day 2 and 3

Nov. 2 - Yesterday I was reminded how blessed I am to live where I do. I stepped out on the porch and heard some cows and chickens not I-215 or sirens.

But today, Nov. 3, I was reminded how much my life was enriched by living in T-ville. We went there today. It felt like going home, and I was surrounded by so many wonderful people that I love dearly. Miss them so.

That's my big brother!

Today Brandon was appointed by the govenor as Idaho's 21st state controller. Can I help it that I am a little excited for, not to mention, pretty proud of him? Brandon is an all-around good person and is married to one amazing woman. I love this photo of the two of them. Brandon and Jana make one great team. They always say behind one good man is an even better woman.



I am sure Grandpa Woody is up there singing for you Brandon, "And here we have Idaho! Winning her way to fame!"